Micrometer depth indicator



Jan. 29, 1952 J. F. FOXX MICROMETER DEPTH INDICATOR 5 She ets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 2'7, 1949 Jan. 29, 1952 J. F. F'OXX MICROMETER DEPTH INDICATOR 5 Sheets-SheetS Filed Jan. 2'7, 1949 WW m III

Patented Jan. 29, 1952 MICROMETER DEPTH INDICATOR JohnF.Foxx,Milwaukee, Wis., assignor to Nordberg Manufacturing *Company,

Milwaukee,

awis ra corporation of Wisconsin Application January.27, 1949,:Serial No. 73,115

My invention relates to an improvement in indicating devices and has for one 'purpose to provide an indicating device for hoist drums.

Another purpose is to provide an indicating device which accurately advises an observer of the location of a hoist or elevatorin response to variations in the positionof'the hoisting drum or drums.

Another purpose is to provide an improved recording member or members which can be used to calibrate or record positions or-movements of a hoisting member, such as =an-e1evator.

Another purpose is to provide an improved transmission connection between a drum and-an indicator adapted to indicate-movement orrotation of the drum.

Other purposes will appear from time to time inthe course of the specification and claims.

I illustrate the invention more or less diagrammatically intheaccompanying drawings where- Figure 1 is a plan-view with parts in section;

Figure 2 is a front elevation of a recording or indicating assembly;

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the structure shown in Figure-2;

Figure 4 is I a section'on an enlarged :scale on the line 44 of Figure 2;

Figure 5. is .asectionon theline v5---,5 of Figure 4; and

Figured; is a plan view on an enlarged scale with parts'in section of thestructure shown in Figures 2 and following.

Like parts are indicated by like symbols throughout the specification and drawings.

Referring to the drawings, I generally indicates any suitable hoist shaft structure, herein shown as carrying two drums, 2 and 3. Each drum carries a bevel gear 4, each one of which is in mesh with a pinion 5 on any suitable rod 6, having at its opposite end a pinion 1. The rods are mounted in any suitable bearings 8. The rods 6 serve to drive any suitable safety device 9, the details of which do not form part of the present invention and need, therefore, not be discussed.

In mesh with each of the pinions I is a driven pinion ID with which is associated any suitable flexible shaft structure therefor, whereby the rotation of the rods 5, in response to the rotation of drums 2 and 3, causes a corresponding rotation of the flexible shafts I I. With reference to Figure 5, each of the flexible shafts I I is suitably connected by a connector I2 to a shaft I3 mounted in any suitable bearings I4. It will be noted that 4Claims. (Cl. 116-122) each shaft I3 carries a worm I5 shown asmeshing with a worm gear Hi. It will be understood that the bearings I4 are mounted in any suitable frame element generally indicated as IT, the details of which do not of themselves form part of the present invention. The frame element, however, may form part of orbe mounted on any suitable console I8, the details of which do not form part of the present invention. Howevenl provide on the console apair of miniature'drums I9, each drum corresponding to one of the hoist drums 2.

The miniature drums'are rotated by the worm gears I6, above described, it being understood that each miniature drum I9 is driven through the above described connection from-its corresponding main drum, so that the movement of the miniature drum I9 represents 'or indicates-(the movement of the main 'drum.

Asa matter of convenience, the console I8 is provided with any suitably formed apertures 20 through which the drums I9 are visible and through which they may outwardly project a convenient distance.

Each worm gear I6 is shown as in mesh with a worm gear -2I which is heldagainst rotation in relation to a screw 22, the screw beingsuitably mounted in the frame structure II, above described. Each screw 22 carries a travelingnut 23 which, in turn, "carries a pointer '24. The pointer is shown as notched as at 25 to receive afixed guideelement 26, mounted on the-frame IT, in parallelism with the axis'of the screw22.

It will be clear from the above description that, in response to rotation of the drums 2, 3, the corresponding miniature drums I9 are rotated and at the same time the nut 23 with its pointer 24 moves longitudinally along each of the drums I9. Preferably the outer surface of each of the drums I9 is made relatively smooth, but so finished that the user can apply any desired markings, calibrations, or indicating symbols, depending upon the particular information he wishes to have. It will also be understood that calibrated surfaces may be employed, but I consider it desirable to permit the operator to calibrate his own miniature drums, if he wishes.

It will be realized that, whereas I have de scribed and illustrated a practical and operative device, nevertheless many changes may be made in the size, shape, number and disposition of parts without departing from the spirit of my invention. I therefore wish my description and drawings to be taken as in a broad sense illustrative or diagrammatic, rather than as limiting me to my precise showing. For example, whereas I have shown my invention as applied to a multiple drum structure, it may equally well be applied to a single drum. In that event, only a single miniature drum need be employed.

The use and operation of the invention are as follows:

Consider the application of my invention to mine hoist, the drums 2, 3 may raise and lower any suitable mine shaft elevator, cage of skip. It is important that the operator know the precise location of the skip or cage at all times. This is particularly important in relation to the landings. It will be understood that in relatively deep mines, where a very substantial length of cable has been payed out it is, under normal circumstances, difiicult for the operator to know, within a close measurement, just where the skip or elevator may be. My invention permits the operator not only to know precisely where the skip is, but also to adjust, vary or alter his indicating member, as need arises. He'can do this because, as a matte surface ora relatively smooth surface is employed for the exterior of the drums l9, he can apply his own calibrati n and also alter it from time to time, if he wishes.

In considering the accuracy to be obtained, it should be kept in mind that the rotation of the main drums 2, 3 causes a double indicating result. In the first place, the pointers 24 move along the length of the drum I9. This provides a general indication of the location of the skip and the miniature drum may be calibrated or markedendwise so that'the observer can tell, b the location of-the pointer 24, about where the skip is. The rotation of the miniature drum l9 itself supplements the indication of the pointer 24 and the drum exterior may be closely calibrated so that, as it rotates in relation to the pointer 24, the user can tell with micrometric accuracy precisely where the skip or elevator is positioned.

If it happens that the cable stretches or that a new cable is applied, or if there is any change made or change in conditions which would effect the accuracy of indication, then the user, need merely recalibrate his drum to suit the new conditions.

I claim:

1. In a device for indicating the location of drum supported elevators and the like, an elevator drum, a miniature indicating drum, a support for said indicating drum, a driving connec- 4 tion between the elevator drum and the indicating drum, adapted to rotate the indicating drum in predetermined relation to rotation of the elevator drum includin gearing associated with the elevator drum, gearing associated with the indicator drum, a flexible shaft connected to said gearing, a worm gear driven by said flexible shaft, a driving gear on said indicating drum shaft and in mesh with said worm gear, and a pointer and a driving connection for the pointer g formed and adapted to move the pointer along the surface of the indicating drum including a pinion in mesh with said driving gear, a screw shaft mounted for rotation with said pinion gear, a nut movable along said screw shaft, 9. plate fixed to said. nut and slidably mounted on said indicating drum support, the pointer being attached to said plate, the movement of the pointer being in a direction parallel with the axis of the indicating drum, in predetermined relation to the rotation of the indicating drum.

.2. The structure of claim 1 characterized by and including a relatively thin pointer having an end portion bent upwardly to lie in a plane substantially parallel with the axis of said drum.

3. The structure of claim 1 characterized by and including a support for said indicating drum formed and adapted to serve as a console, and in cooperation 'with said driving connection to permit installation of said support at a point remote from said elevator drum.

4. The structure of claim 1 characterized by and including a support for said indicating drum formed and adapted as a console having an inclined face, said indicating drum having its axis parallel with said inclined face, said face having an aperture, said drum extending partially through said aperture, said pointer extending through said aperture, said aperture having an offset portion at the top and bottom thereof in alignment with the point at which said pointer extends through said aperture.

' JOHN F. FOXX REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 211,883 Behr Feb. 4, 1879 2,170,820 Hooven Aug. 29, 1939 

